Born Again: A New Era in Daredevil as Matt Murdock Steps Away from Vigilante Life

The enduring camaraderie between Daredevil and Iron Fist has unfolded over many decades within the comic realm. As New York-based superheroes, they form an integral part of the vigilante group known as The Defenders, which also includes Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Their bond is so profound that when Matt Murdock, the original Daredevil, faced incapacitation, Danny Rand, known as Iron Fist, stepped in to assume the role of The Man Without Fear.

A New Daredevil Emerges During Matt Murdock’s Imprisonment

Mystery Surrounds the Impostor Daredevil

Daredevil with other Marvel Rival characters in the background — Custom Image by Akshay Bhalla

Brian Michael Bendis wrapped up his critically acclaimed tenure on Daredevil with the shocking revelation of Matt Murdock’s imprisonment due to his unmasked identity. When Ed Brubaker took the reins as the writer in 2006, he faced an intriguing dilemma: how could Daredevil maintain his heroic persona while incarcerated?

Matt Murdock himself pondered this quandary during his time behind bars, particularly when he learned about another Daredevil operating in Hell’s Kitchen. The truth emerged swiftly after Matt orchestrated a daring escape alongside his formidable frenemy, The Punisher (Frank Castle).They crafted an illusion of Frank having taken Matt hostage to facilitate their flight from Rykers.

Upon regaining his freedom, Murdock was driven by a singular mission—to confront the individual impersonating him. It didn’t take long before he found the impostor, leading to an intense confrontation between two figures clad in the Daredevil costume.The fierce encounter depicted in Daredevil vol.2, #82 (Feb.2006), reached its climax when the false Daredevil’s fist ignited in flames, revealing his identity as none other than The Immortal Iron Fist.

Initially doubts clouded Murdock’s thoughts; he couldn’t believe Danny Rand would betray him. However, as Rand unveiled the circumstances behind his actions, it became evident that he had been hired by an unidentified party to take on the Daredevil mantle. Despite this, Rand had vigilantly protected the streets of Hell’s Kitchen, thereby sowing seeds of doubt in the authenticity of the charges against Murdock. How could the imprisoned Murdock possibly be Daredevil when the real hero was still active on the streets?

Danny Rand as Daredevil in Civil War

Iron Fist Joins a Major Conflict Disguised as Daredevil

The divided Avengers standing amid the ruins of a destroyed school, from Civil War.

Danny Rand’s tenure as Daredevil coincided with pivotal events during the Civil War narrative arc.In this storyline, Daredevil is taken into custody for refusing to comply with the Superhuman Registration Act, a law that mandated individuals with superhuman abilities to register with the government. This legislation, championed by Iron Man, ignited a fierce conflict with Captain America, setting the stage for intense factional battles.

As Daredevil continued to operate against the backdrop of this controversy, he was subsequently detained and sent to Prison 42, infamous for housing non-compliant superhumans. During his apprehension, Tony Stark attempted to engage the Daredevil he believed to be Matt Murdock, only to be met with silence. In a moment of biting wit, Daredevil quipped, “Guess that’s thirty-one pieces of silver you’ve got, huh? Sleep well, Judas, ” marking one of the standout moments of the Civil War saga.

Daredevil is arrested during Civil War — Custom Image by Jenna Wrenn

The knowledge that Danny Rand was behind the mask only deepens the emotional resonance of these interactions, tying both characters together even more profoundly.

Implications of Danny Rand’s Role as Daredevil for the MCU

Daredevil’s Return to Disney+: More Defenders on the Horizon?

The Defenders in an elevator in The Defenders promo

Though Marvel Studios has indicated that the other Defenders—Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Danny Rand—may not return to Disney+ from their earlier Netflix portrayals, the situation remains fluid. Historical instances, such as Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s denials of involvement with Spider-Man, suggest that surprises may still be in store.

Given Daredevil’s absence, it opens up a unique avenue to possibly incorporate Brubaker’s narrative elements into the MCU, potentially setting the stage for a surprise cameo by Finn Jones’ version of Danny Rand.

The trailer for Daredevil: Born Again hinted at Matt Murdock abandoning his vigilantism due to an unspecified accident, possibly triggered by Daredevil.This gap could be the perfect setup for creating ties back to Iron Fist’s character and allowing for a revival of all four Defenders within the MCU. Notably, characters like Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Frank Castle, and Bullseye are confirmed to return, raising hopes for an intertwining narrative that could usher in the full ensemble of The Defenders.

Moreover, hints at Luke Cage’s presence—evidenced by a poster for Harlem’s Paradise in the trailer—could serve as a bridge to reuniting the on-again-off-again couple from the comics.If elements of Iron Fist’s time as Daredevil are incorporated—even as a cameo—the stage is set for a comprehensive resurgence of The Defenders within the MCU narrative. However, whether Marvel will take this creative leap remains uncertain.

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